Australian Engulfed in Flames After Being Tasered

A man whose relatives say had been sniffinggasoline burst into flames after a police officer Tasered him as heran at officials carrying a container of fuel, police said Tuesday.

The man, identified by his family as 36-year-old RonaldMitchell, was in critical condition at a Perth hospital in WesternAustralia state following Monday's incident in Warburton, anAboriginal community 950 miles (1,540 kilometers) northeast ofPerth.

Western Australia police said Mitchell ran from a house carryinga cigarette lighter and a large plastic bottle containing what theybelieve was fuel. When he refused to stop running toward them, oneofficer Tasered him, Western Australia police said in a mediarelease.

The man was immediately engulfed in flames. The officer threwhim to the ground and smothered the blaze with his hands, thestatement said. Mitchell was charged with assault to prevent arrestand possession of a sniffing substance.

An 18-year-old woman threw rocks at the officer as he tried tohelp, and he later treated for a cut on his head and burns to hishands, police said.

The woman was charged with two counts of assaulting an officer,said Sgt. Graham Clifford of Western Australia police. Two othersat the house were charged with possessing a sniffing substance.

Mitchell's sister, Morinda West, told The Australian newspaperthat her brother had been sniffing gasoline and that when he ranout of the house he was carrying a lighter and an orange juicecontainer full of gasoline.

Police spokeswoman Susan Usher said Mitchell appeared to havereceived third-degree burns to about ten percent of his body.

The officer who Tasered Mitchell is was not suspended, Cliffordsaid.

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